Bahamas News
Five Bahamian Businesses Receive Funding Through Royal Caribbean International’s Kickstarter Programme
#TheBahamas, December 20, 2022 – After eight-weeks of small business training, five innovative and creative entrepreneurs from Royal Caribbean International’s Kickstarter Programme were awarded funding following the first cohort’s final pitch competition.
The first group to go through the program focused on a wide range of tourism-based businesses, several of which are now set to shake up the way things are done within the local industry. From tour companies to rentals for travelers with young children, the ideas of the prize winners considered the many unique facets of Bahamian tourism.
One Big Nut, the startup that took home top prize is bringing fresh perspective to Nassau’s West Bay Street staple — coconut water — and making getting that healthy coconut water fix easier. Whether for sipping on its own or mixing in “gully wash”, fresh coconut water is much-loved, but not always easy to come by and worries about handling can overshadow the longing for a good gulp.
Co-founder Alex Holden said the company is bringing technology and tradition together, using state of the art equipment to hasten the process of extracting coconut water.
“At One Big Nut we are offering more than just coconut water. We are providing a safe, comfortable, and authentic cultural experience,” he said.
“You can sit down and sip while our friendly staff serves you. Our coconuts come pre-chilled, pre-drilled, and ready to drink, making them more refreshing and fun than any coconut water you could buy from the roadside or the food store.”
Crystal Campbell, director of business integration and destination development at Royal Caribbean International, helped judge the pitch competition. She said One Big Nut received the top prize after receiving the top score in all the judging categories, including innovation and impact, viability, sustainability, capacity, and overall presentation and delivery.
“Their concept reinvented the coconut vendor seen across the Bahamas,” said Campbell.
“They not only sought to create sustainable kiosks that are fun and inviting, but also simplify the process for the vendors with advanced equipment.”
Holden said he didn’t expect to win the competition, but noted that the funding will help to buy machinery and build the “giant coconut” they will operate out of. But Holden noted that the program provided more value than just the funding opportunity.
“The one-on-one tutoring was one of the most valuable parts of the program,” he said.
“Also competing against talented Bahamians with great business ideas forces you to sharpen your skills. We would recommend every Bahamian entrepreneur sign up for the program — just bring your most creative idea and don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.”
The Kickstarter Programme, which is a collaborative effort with the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC), provides entrepreneurs with learning and funding opportunities to help start their businesses.
SBDC Executive Director Samantha Rolle thanked Royal Caribbean for its ongoing partnership.
“SBDC’s partnership with Royal Caribbean Group continues to be instrumental in curating entrepreneurial funding and training programs which open doors for a variety of Bahamian businesses in the tourism industry,” she said.
The program begins with an eight-week training boot camp and culminates with a pitch competition where competitors get the opportunity to win up to $15,000 in funding for their ventures.
Baha Moments, a bespoke tour company founded by D’Asante Small, was another one of the top performers in the recent pitch competition, taking the second-place position with a prize of $10,000 in funding.
Small said she developed the idea for her business in 2020.
“In the midst of the pandemic, I developed what I believe will be a catalyst to the transformation of our tourism industry in The Bahamas,” she said.
“I was inspired to reimagine the way Bahamians access the tourism industry and the way our visitors access Bahamian experiences.”
Small said Baha Moments focuses on curating unique experiences in collaboration with vendors to ensure customers enjoy their time while receiving local perspectives and an infusion of Bahamian culture.
She said she decided to participate in the Kickstarter Program to tap into the cruise industry directly to gain insight and industry feedback, given it is a target market for her company.
Small said the program was insightful, noting it helped her finetune elements of her business plan, website and marketing plan.
“The next step for us is our digital launch, which this seed money will assist to engage influencers and launch our digital ads,” she said.
The third-place prize of $7,500 in funding was won by Lignum Vitae, a Grand Bahama-based store specializing in locally produced goods.
Owner Ariel Ferree said the idea for the store was conceived to both highlight Bahamian creators and innovators while providing sustainable shopping solutions.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to embrace a more eco-conscious lifestyle without even knowing it, because one of the biggest things that we can do is sourcing as many things locally as we can,” she said.
Ferree said Lignum Vitae will carry products ranging from home decor to jewelry and fashion items to locally pressed oil and more.
“It’s going to be a market and deli so people can try some of the goods as well,” she said.
Ferree said that in addition to the funding opportunity, the Kickstarter program provided her with unique networking and learning opportunities.
“Through the program, I was able to connect with some of the people, from Grand Bahama specifically,” she said.
“…A lot of them are the makers and the growers and some people I’m working with to have some of their products in Lignum Vitae.”
Tishka Moss, the owner of Traveling Tots Rentals, said she also was drawn to the program because of the learning opportunities.
“It was the education aspect that drew me to apply to the boot camp,” she said.
Moss received a $5,000 prize to help fund her business, which was started earlier this year.
Traveling Tots Rentals provides rental cribs, highchairs, strollers, car seats and other equipment needed for traveling with young children.
“It was such a hassle traveling with my young sons, and I thought about all the tourists who come to Nassau with the same issue,” said Moss.
And while she already had a steady stream of rentals before the Kickstarter program, Moss said she plans to use the funds to upgrade her website to provide a more user-friendly experience.
For Misty Johnson, who owns AmaziTours, the $5000 loan prize is a stepping stone toward a big dream.
Johnson, who is based in Freeport, said ultimately, she wants to start an amphibious tour. But she knows getting there will take time and improvising.
“In order for us to get to that, we need to do something else to raise some money,” she said.
“So, we thought of barbecue boats, which is also a unique tour.”
She said the funding will help her begin the barbecue tours, which allow groups to tour the waters of Grand Bahama and wind up on the beach for a barbeque they will always remember on the barbeque boat. “I knew I wouldn’t have been able to secure an amphibious bike with the prize money, but it’s a start for us to get the barbecue boat,” Johnson said.
Johnson thanked Royal Caribbean for the opportunity to participate the program.
“This has provided not only the opportunity to launch AMaziTours, but it has also given me a wealth of knowledge,” she said.
“Without this course, I wouldn’t be able to confidently pursue opportunities afforded to small businesses like AMaziTours.”
Photo Caption: Alex Holden, Theo McClain and Kowaski Lindley, owners of One Big Nut, won $15,000 in funding through the Royal Caribbean Kickstarter Programme.
Bahamas News
Public Hospitals Authority Foundation Donates Dialysis Machines to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH)
The Bahamas, September 21, 2026 – The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Foundation, a philanthropic organization launched in January 2024 to support public hospitals and healthcare clinics, donated eight additional dialysis machines for the PMH Renal Services unit.
Director of Foundations, Corporate and Community Relations for the Public Hospitals Authority and Executive Director of the foundation,
Alana Major, said this initiative is a part of the foundation’s “Sun, Sea and Second Chances” campaign. PHA Foundation aims to secure 30 machines for Princess Margaret Hospital.
“As of today, with this donation, we are now up to 15 machines, so we are very excited about that,” Ms. Major said.
Other members of the foundation were present, including PHA Foundation Chairman Mr. Selvin Basden, who said the foundation is committed to doing its part in fulfilling the mandate of the Government of the Bahamas.
“One of the tenets of the Government is to ensure that access to healthcare is a human right. We are committed to ensuring that, at least from our part, we can deliver on that principle,” Mr. Basden said.
The PMH Renal Services Unit dialyzes about 150 to 170 patients annually. The unit provides care for patients who have been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and now need renal support. Patients who receive dialysis typically come to the unit three times a week, either on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule or a Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule.
Head of Department for Renal Services, Dr. Thurston Carroll, said she and the unit are excited to receive the donation, as it will replace
machines that are not operating optimally.
“We are particularly excited about today’s donation because, although we have 20 stations within the dialysis unit, we have an aging fleet. These new machines and new water-treatment equipment will allow us to replace some of our aging equipment so that we can continue providing services to our patients.”
Foundation representatives noted that one or two organizations are already considering making bulk donations and if it happens, the foundation may be able to secure another 10 machines or another five machines in the very near future.
PMH Deputy Hospital Administrator Angelica Lockhart-Bastian and Hospital Administrator Mr. Tevard Bastian thanked the PHA Foundation for its donation to Princess Margaret Hospital.
Also in attendance were PHA Foundation Deputy Chairman Dr. Erecia Hepburn; Foundation guest Dr. Maria Oriakhi; Chief Biomedical Engineer Mr. Theodore Nottage; Administrative Officer Ms. Appapisa Neely; and Senior Assistant Hospital Administrator Mr. Valdez Bowe.
By Christina Williams
Bahamas Information Services
BIS Photos/Mark Ford
PHOTO CAPTION:
Group Photo, from left:
– Dr. Rhea Thurston Carroll, Director, Renal Services, PMH
– Nurse Kim Harris, Dialysis Nurse, Dialysis Unit, PMH
– Sister Darnell Roker, Nurse Manager, Dialysis Unit, PMH
– Mrs. Angelica Lockhart-Bastian, Deputy Hospital Administrator PMH
– Mr. Tevard Bastian, Hospital Administrator PMH
– Mrs. Alana Major, Director, Foundations, Community and Corporate Relations, PHA
– Mr. Selvin Basden, Chairman, PHA Foundation
– Dr. Erecia Hepburn, PHA Foundation Board
– Ms. Donette Danvers, Executive Assistant, Foundations, Community and Corporate Relations, PHA
Miami, Florida – Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, Dr. Kenneth Romer was presented with The 2025-2026 Infrastructure Leadership MVP Award, during the 10th Annual Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) held in Miami September 15-16, 2026.
According to event organizers, New Energy Events, the MVP Leadership Award is the highest individual honor in the industry and is
presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional, strategic and visionary leadership in advancing infrastructure in the Caribbean. Chosen by an independent jury of regional industry leaders, “The recipient is recognized for their sustained impact, influence across sectors, and dedication to driving meaningful progress in policy, investment, or project delivery”, said Event Organizers.
Romer becomes only the third person from the Region, and the first from The Bahamas to receive the Leadership MVP Award, joining last year’s winner The Honourable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
Represented among the Conference Speakers and present at the Award Ceremony was Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, who said that, “This award amplifies The Bahamas Government’s commitment to executing a vision that sets the benchmark for infrastructural investments opportunities across our archipelago while supporting exemplary Bahamian leaders like Dr. Romer, who are steering the Caribbean toward more resilient, investable, and innovative infrastructure”.
“While this award is deemed an individual honor, it is a recognition of the Bahamas’ position as a respected regional leader and more so, a
reflection of the incredible talent that resides within our small, but indomitable nation that continues to punch above its weight class as the world marks the manner of our bearing”, said Dr. Romer.
Dr. Romer has been instrumental in driving post-pandemic tourism recovery alongside the transformation of airports across the Family Islands through the Government’s landmark Family Islands Renaissance initiative. Under his leadership as Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism, the sector has embraced a strategic, forward-looking approach focused on modernizing over 19 runways and terminals, strengthening safety and resilience, expanding international and regional connectivity, and leveraging public-private partnerships to deliver world-class facilities.
Dr. Romer’s work has helped translate the National Aviation Strategic Plan into tangible infrastructure projects that are creating new opportunities for tourism, investment, entrepreneurship and economic growth across the archipelago.
In 2025, he became the first person from the Caribbean and LATAM Region to be appointed to the Board of the International Association of Airports Executives.
NASSAU, Bahamas –— This back-to-school season Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), the local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is offering huge wins for parents and guardians in their Level Up and Win Lunchtime giveaway.
The promotion encourages consumers to share their best lunch bag creations featuring the following products, Honest Kids juice box, Minute Maid 12oz Fruit Cooler and Dasani 12oz. water. Now until September 30th, the public can post or privately share a photo or video of
one of the listed products in their lunch bag.
At the end of the promotion, the top five lunch bags will be shared on social media, and consumers will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite lunchtime creations. Prizes include a $200 Kelly’s gift card, $150 John Bull gift card and six-months’ worth of each product.
Lauryn Clarke, Marketing Coordinator of Caribbean Bottling Company, shared what inspired this promotion.
” The back-to-school season is all about getting kids excited for the year ahead, and lunch boxes are a big part of that fun. We wanted to remind parents and guardians that hydration should be just as important as what is being learned in the classroom. This promotion is about encouraging families to pack a refreshing beverage their kids will enjoy and make hydration part of their everyday school routine,” Clarke said.
With a variety of brands and new flavors featured in this promotion, particularly Honest Kids’ newest flavor, Strawberry Peach Keen, and the new 12 oz. Minute Maid Fruit Coolers, CBC hopes this lunchtime giveaway will appeal to new consumers.
For more details on the Level Up and Win Lunchtime promotion, new products and events visit caribbean_bottling on social media.
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